Best Memory Foam Mattresses – Buyers Guide And Reviews

Mattress shopping can be exciting. You’re about to invest in a product that can have a significant positive impact on your life. However, it can also lead to an huge negative impact when you fail to do your research. When you take the time to do your homework, the better chance you’ll find the right product for your needs. You’ll definitely experience no lack of options when you choose to shop online.

At the tip of your fingers, you’ll have access to thousands of products featuring different materials that make all the difference in comfort and support.

After countless hours of research and reviewing dozens of mattresses, here are our top picks for the best memory foam mattress.

Memory Foam Feel

Many people are initially attracted to memory foam because of its unique feel. Unlike many other mattress materials that quickly bounce back when pressure is released, memory foam can take several seconds to return to its original composure. This is because, when it undergoes deformation, it exhibits both viscous and elastic properties.

In other words, when pressure and body heat are applied to these products, you begin to sink in deeper. The material is able to form perfectly to your body, and this can offer numerous benefits to those suffering with aches and pains as it’s able to reduce pressure points and maintain proper spinal alignment.

It didn’t take long for consumers to notice the level of comfort memory foam had to offer. Manufacturers recognized the demand, and they quickly responded with memory foam mattresses that could offer consumers that “sinking in” feeling that offers unique benefits you may decide to take advantage of.

Let’s look a little deeper into this material to see if its properties will work for you. We’ll also examine some of the types of products you have to choose from as well as take a look at some personal favorites and how they can work for you.

Why You Never Have an All Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam offers unique properties in the comfort layer. This is located at the top of the mattress and offers sleepers the level of comfort they need. However, your best bet is to find a product that offers various layers featuring different materials that can offer you additional benefits in addition to those offered by memory foam.

Furthermore, memory foam by itself wouldn’t be able to provide the right level of support (keeping your spine inline) and is more geared toward the provision of pressure relief.

Memory Foam Cooling and Response

While the sinking property of memory foam is an attractive quality for many consumers, there are others that have drawbacks that could significantly impact the quality of your sleep. For starters, since you do tend to sink it, it can sometimes be difficult to move around. This can make life more difficult for those who have mobility problems. Furthermore, traditional memory foam is known to sleep hot. This is counterproductive since, in order to achieve the more restorative stages of sleep, your body needs to achieve a slightly lower body temperature.

The good news is that there have been a number of innovations intended to address these issues. As we discussed above, the addition of other mattress layers can help add the bounce you need to move around with ease. Furthermore, heat transfer technology has made leaps and bounds, and there are hundreds of products out there that have taken measures to address the fact that traditional memory foam tends to sleep hot.

As you shop, you’re likely to come across gel infused memory foam products. The gel acts to absorb heat and therefore keep the mattress cooler as you sleep. It’s important to distinguish gel-infused products versus gel beads as you seek out the coolest memory foam mattress. This is because gel beads have a capacity in the amount of heat they’re capable of absorbing. Therefore, when they reach that limit, the bed will begin to warm up. Therefore, if you tend to sleep hot, you’re better option would typically be a gel-infused product.

Memory Foam Firmness and Indentation Load Deflections

No matter what mattress material you’re considering, firmness is a factor that’s important to get just right. Everyone has their own preferences, and many mattress companies you’ll come across will allow you to select the firmness level for yourself. Therefore, it’s well worth it to understand what firmness level you’re looking for in the best memory foam mattresses. While only you know what you like, a general guideline for those who are unsure is as follows:

Stomach Sleepers

Firm so your face doesn’t sink into the mattress

Side Sleepers

Medium to soft to cushion shoulders and hips

Back Sleepers

Medium firm

Some people don’t have a preferred sleeping position, and there’s another way you can determine the right firmness for you when you consider your body mass index. It’s easy to calculate using online tools, and this information can help you find a more ideal product than when you consider sleeping position alone. Once you determine your BMI, refer to the following chart:

BMI Ranges

Layers

BMI below 19

SOFT

BMI between 19 and 25

MEDIUM

BMI between 26 and 31

FIRM

BMI Categories

BMI Numbers

Underweight

<18.5

Normal weight

18.5–24.9

Overweight

25–29.9

Obesity

BMI of 30 or greater

How Do You Determine Firmness When Shopping Online?

Most companies will offer you the ability to choose between plush, medium and firm mattresses. Others will even have you fill out a questionnaire designed to allow the company to calculate just the right firmness for you. However, there are grey areas that are easier to pinpoint when you have a scale to refer to. There is such a scale, and it’s referred to as indentation load deflection.

To test, a foam sample of material measuring 15 inches x 15 inches x 4 inches is used. A 50 square inch circular indenter is used to compress the material a total of 25 percent of its thickness. You can see a clarifying ILD video here. It clearly shows the process as well as the computerized measurements that result which allow for precise results you can count on.

If you come across ILDs as you examine our recommended memory foam mattresses, we want you to understand what these numbers mean. If you prefer the softest memory foam mattress, an ILD of 25 or less would offer what you’re looking for. If you prefer something in the mid-range, be on the lookout for an overall ILD of around 25-31. Firm products are those more than 31.

While analyzing ILDs, it’s important to keep in mind that the ILD of the combined unit is different than what you’ll find at the various mattress layers. In the comfort layer, it’s common to find lower ILDs while they tend to increase as you make your way to the support layer. It’s important to ensure you know what the combined ILD is in order to determine how you can expect to experience the product as a whole.

What Makes a Quality Memory Foam Mattress?

In order to ensure you can enjoy the longest possible lifespan in your new mattress, be prepared to make a reasonable investment. You get what you pay for. When you only have a few hundred dollars to spend, you can expect to experience much lower durability. If you don’t have the money yet, it can prove well worth it to wait a little longer until you can save up some more money. However, if you need something new now for a temporary solution, there are some pointers to help you find the materials that will work best for your needs.

Density

Durability and quality go hand in hand, and the key term to look for in this department is density. While many confuse it with a representation of firmness, density actually helps you determine the durability you can expect out of your memory foam mattress. Each layer will feature its own density, and it’s important to understand that the comfort layers will experience the most wear and tear. Therefore, you want to ensure the levels in this area in particular are high.

Before we go over the numbers to help you know what to look for, it’s worth mentioning that the density of memory foam is different than with other materials. For instance, a polyfoam density of more than 1.8 pounds per cubic foot would be considered highly durable. However, in memory foam, the magic number is four to five pcf. Ideally, you want to be financially prepared to purchase a product that falls within these parameters. If you want to learn more, I encourage you to check out our comprehensive memory foam mattress density guide.

Better Durability Than Most Polyfoams

Memory foam products are generally known to last much longer than polyfoams in the comfort layers as this is where most of the compression takes place. However, you do get what you pay for, and, for a typically higher price, there are other materials that can last longer than memory foam including:

Latex

Natural fibers

High-quality innerspring

Thickness and Compression Modulus

In memory foam in particular, consumers are often particularly interested in the unique feel it’s so famous for. However, the experience will vary depending on the thickness of the memory foam layer. This has an impact on how you’ll experience the product. However, if the layer is too thin, you might not be satisfied with the lessened effect memory foam is known for. We don’t recommend anything less than 2 inches if you’re particularly interested in the memory foam experience.

You also need to consider how much you can expect to sink into a product. The deeper you sink into the mattress, the firmer it becomes due to the increase in compression. This is known as the material’s compression modulus, and different foams increase in firmness due to this factor at different rates.

Types of Memory Foam

There are three primary types of memory foam, and they each have unique properties that can help guide you to the one that will be best suited for your needs. Let’s take a look at each of these types along with a few properties of each.

Traditional Memory Foam

Designed for cradling support to enhance circulation and decrease stress on your joints

Is known to sleep very hot

Open Cell Memory Foam

Has a quicker response, so you can avoid that “sinking in” feeling often associated with traditional memory foam. Better able than traditional memory foam at dispersing heat.

Able to respond to your body temperature to keep it properly regulated for restful sleep.

Gel Memory Foam

Helps in the reduction of pressure points

Better at dispersing heat than traditional memory

Is a Memory Foam Mattress the Right Choice for You?

The decision to purchase a memory foam mattress is one that will affect you for many years to come. No mattress is one-size-fits-all, and memory foam just isn’t right for certain people. There are a couple of situations in which it may be in your best interest to seek other options.

You Tend to Sleep Hot

If sleeping hot is a significant issue for you, memory foam may not be the best option. While there are solutions available such as gel beads and infusions, foams that are open-celled can typically help keep the sleeper cooler during the night. Therefore, if you tend to sleep very hot and this is a serious issue for you, memory foam may not be the best choice.

You Have Limited Mobility

The primarily evident feature of memory foam is that it allows the sleeper to sink into the mattress more and more as their body heats it. This allows your body to achieve superior contour to help promote proper spinal alignment. However, if you are severely limited in your mobility, this could pose issues when you try to move around or get in and out of the bed. I would suggest, in this situation, that you seek a product with an innerspring unit.

You Sleep On Your Stomach

If you sleep on your stomach, you may find the visco elastic properties of memory foam to interfere with your preferred sleeping position. As you sleep, your body will sink deeper into the product, and this can become a hindrance in breathing if your face has contact with the mattress.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Memory Foam?

Just as there are some who may not be compatible with memory foam, there are others who can prove to be excellent candidates for this popular foam type. If you suffer from aches and pains, for example, you may find that you can appreciate the superior level of pressure point reduction you can achieve on this material. It can also prove to be a comfortable product for those who sleep on their sides or backs.

Our Recommended Memory Foam Mattress Reviews

Buyers have a variety of motivating factors that can lead them to one product over another. Next, we’re going to walk you through a few products we would recommend you check out depending on what you’re looking for.

1. Bear Mattress for Athletes

Overview

Warranty: 10 year limitedTrial: 100 nightsMaterials:

1 inch Cool Graphite-Gel Memory Foam with 4 pound density

1.5 inches Quick Response Foam Layer One with 3 pound density

1 inch Quick Response Foam Layer Two with 3 pound density

6.5 inch Foam Base with 1.8 pound density

If you live an active lifestyle, the buildup of lactic acid can lead to aches and pains that can really slow you down. Bear mattress utilizes active Celliant minerals found in the cover which are initially ground into fine particles which are 100 times smaller than a human hair. Millions of these particles are extruded and combined to create a resin. The Celliant resin helps increase oxygen levels in your tissues, and this can help athletes sleep comfortably as well as offer valuable benefits for those who suffer with:

Pros

Cons

2. Eluxury for Cool Night’s Rest

Overview

Warranty: 10 year full coverageTrial: 120 daysMaterials:

3” Elux gel memory foam

7 inch high-density support foam

There are many benefits to be taken advantage of by sleeping cool as this is when the more restorative stages of sleep take place. When you opt for the EluxurySupply 10” memory foam mattress, you can take advantage of open cell technology. The memory foam layer is infused with millions of gel particles. These particles, along with the open cell technology, allows the surface of your mattress to remain cooler and more comfortable than traditional memory foam.

Pros

Cons

3. Layla for Added Value

Overview

Warranty: LifetimeTrial: 120 daysMaterials:

3 inch high-density copper-infused memory foam

6 inch convoluted base layer

1 inch firm comfort layer

Layla is the first ever dual sided copper infused memory foam mattress, and this means you are able to take advantage of a cool sleep solution that allows for proper blood circulation and overall pain relief. Since this product allows for you to flip the mattress to help customize your firmness preferences. While the soft side does lack in support, the firm side makes up for this shortcoming. However, the soft side can be a great solution for those who don’t carry much weight.

Cons

4. Alexander Signature Select

Overview

Warranty: 20 year limitedTrial: 100 daysMaterials:

2” soft quilted foam

4” gel foam memory foam

1” Visco foam

2” Smartflow foam

4” edge support base foam

If you have a very specific firmness level to meet your unique comfort needs, you’ll appreciate that Alexander Signature Select allows you to pick from a variety of firmness options. It also provides an affordable alternative to more expensive name brand memory foam beds. It also features five layers which is quite a bit more than many mattresses offer. These include:

Pros

Cons

5. Brentwood Bamboo Gel 13 for Tight Budget

Overview

Warranty: 25 yearsTrial: 120 nightMaterials:

3 ½ inches Gel memory Foam with 3 pound density

2 inche Airluxe Ventilated Layer

7 ½ inches Therapeutic Foam

Would you be surprised if I told you there’s a quality product on the market that can be acquired for even less than the Ultimate Dreams gel memory foam mattress by Dreamfoam Bedding? This product includes cooling technology, so it can be a great option if you tend to sleep hot. The gel beads found in the very first layer absorb your body heat, and they work with the Airluxe ventilated layer to keep the bed at room temperature for as long as possible.

R

Pros

Highly affordable

Helps you sleep cool

Q

Cons

Density of the memory foam layer only three pcf, so this could indicate you may not be able to expect high durability.

6. Tempurpedic Cloud Prima for Luxury

Overview

Warranty: 10 year limitedTrial: 90 nightsMaterials:

Tempur-ES Material Comfort Layer

Tempur-Material Support Layer

Base Layer with 5.3 pound density

If you value the importance of making a sizable investment in your mattress product and are interested in taking advantage of a luxury memory foam product which can offer you all the benefits memory foam has to offer, I encourage you to check out the Tempurpedic Cloud Prima mattress. The cost is high, but it should prove to provide you with a high degree of comfort and support that will stand the test of time. We’re sure you won’t regret your decision to spend a little more for a much improved night’s rest.

Pros

Cons

7. Amerisleep Liberty for Eco-Friendly Properties

Overview

Warranty: 20 yearsTrial: 100 nightsMaterials:

3 inches of Bio-Pur Foam

2 inches of transition foam

7 inch Bio-Core Support Foam

Amerisleep crafts their mattresses with plant-based materials that allow them to use less petroleum in their products. You can enjoy both the properties of memory foam and reducing your carbon footprint all in one purchase. Furthermore, their Variable Pressure Foaming process introduces zero emissions into the atmosphere thanks to its closed design of its chamber. Instead, air that leaves that chamber is then sent through carbon filters to effectively remove any harmful chemicals and actually make cleaner air than when it came in.

The Liberty model also features the use of the same Celliant technology found in the Bear mattress that helps you recover from the aches and pains commonly experienced by those who live an active lifestyle.

8. Novosbed for Value

Overview

We all want to get the most for our money, and the Novosbed is an excellent memory foam option that allows you to achieve just that. This product offers exceptional support and is designed to best cater toward the comfort level expectations of the majority of shoppers. The quality you enjoy is built to last as the various layers feature the necessary densities to provide consumers with the expectation of durability at a moderate price tag.

Pros

Cons

9. Ameena for Those Who Like to Contribute to Charitable Causes

Overview

Warranty: 10 Year warranty with up to 1″ impressionTrial: 120 daysMaterials:

2 inches of premium ENERGEX Foam

2 inches of premium gel memory foam

6 inch breathable base foam

Do you enjoy the feeling of knowing you contributed to make the lives of others better? If so, you may be interested in Ameena. They support Habitat for Humanity, and, when you purchase their quality product, you can take pride in knowing they will donate one to a charity or shelter around the country. Their Thermaphase Gel Memory Foam is 7 times better at reducing heat over standard memory foam, and you can enjoy supportive pressure relief that will help you wake up feeling more refreshed.

Since memory foam is known to allow the sleeper to sink into the product, Eve created a construction that allows for a higher degree of support. This can make Eve an excellent product if you prefer a firmer product but also enjoy the properties of memory foam. The resulting contour works well to provide proper spinal alignment without the sleeper feeling as though they’re sinking into the bed. This product also features efficient bounce for a memory foam product that helps users move around.

R

Pros

High quality at great price

Offers bounce that’s lacking in many memory foam products

Q

Cons

Finding the Best Fit for You

There’s clearly no shortage of quality products on the market, and these are just a few of your options. I’ve had the chance to try out a number of memory foam mattresses, and, if you can afford it, a product like the Tempurpedic Cloud Prima will provide a feeling of luxury. This product carries with it the expectation of excellent durability, and the quality of the materials found within deliver the support you need to sleep your best.

However, not all of us have $2,500 available to spend on a mattress, so there’s a good chance you’re like me and have to settle with comparable products that still have a lot to offer. I personally enjoyed the Ultimate Dreams gel memory foam mattress very much, and I found this to be a very reasonably-priced product for the comfort you’ll enjoy. I found the firmness level to be great for my needs (I like my mattresses medium to plush), and the combination of the soft cover and memory foam beneath makes it feel like you’re floating on a cloud.

I have also had the chance to try out Bear mattress, and I found it to be effective at reducing aches and pains after a day at the gym. If you work out or are otherwise physically active this is a product I think you should take a look at.

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